Anyone watching the news lately is probably wondering about the numerous food recalls. One week it’s onions, and then it moves on to broccoli and even granola bars. You almost don’t know what’s safe to eat from one week to the next. Since starvation isn’t an option, you order your favorite food and hope for the best. So, what happens if the foods you eat end up giving you food poisoning like listeria? Does this mean you’re suffering alone or should you get a Listeria lawyer? Suffering alone shouldn’t be an option, Listeria can be a severe illness that can even lead to death. If you’re diagnosed with a Listeria infection, you may be eligible to receive compensation.
You probably already know how tough it can be to tell the difference between a cold and the flu. Even some seasonal allergies can mimic cold and flu symptoms. Did you know Listeria symptoms are also pretty similar? During the height of cold and flu season, trying to figure out if you have a food-borne illness can be just about impossible without medical testing.
With that being said, some common symptoms to watch out for if you think you’ve been exposed to Listeria typically include:
Listeria symptoms can take a while to develop. Some sufferers don’t experience any symptoms for several days after being exposed to the bacteria. Early detection is the best way of preventing severe health complications that can include death. So, if you think you ingested tainted food, contact your healthcare provider. Sometimes, it’s better to panic early rather than wait for symptoms to appear.
Whether you’re part of a Listeria outbreak or the only one potentially affected, the steps to take after exposure are the same.
Taking chances with your health is silly. Sure, a visit to a healthcare clinic can be expensive, especially without insurance. However, the cost of early treatment is significantly less than if you allow your symptoms to persist. You may find yourself in the emergency room instead of a walk-in clinic. Guess which one is the most expensive treatment option. On average, you can expect to pay at least three times as much for an ER visit compared to a health clinic.
Your healthcare provider can run lab tests to determine if you have the flu or a Listeria infection. If you’re considered a high-risk individual, early diagnosis and treatment are often key to preventing serious complications. Examples of high-risk people include senior adults and pregnant women. Some underlying health conditions can also increase your risk of developing complications from a Listeria infection.
Don’t forget to save all of your medical documents relating to your Listeria diagnosis and treatment. This includes your patient records, bills, and receipts. You’re going to need the paperwork to help support your injury claim.
Your medical records tell part of the story but you’re going to need to submit a little more information. Insurance companies love denying injury claims based on a lack of supporting information. Start keeping a journal of your symptoms. Keep track of when the symptoms first popped up and their progression. Sure, some of the details you’re recording may be unpleasant. After all, your digestive system probably isn’t exactly functioning at its best.
Along with tracking your symptoms, keep a record of everything you’ve eaten and drank about a week before your Listeria symptoms appeared. Remember, symptoms can take a week or so to pop up. This means something you ate or drank a few days ago may be the culprit. If you’re eating out before symptoms appear, list the location, date, and time, along with what you ordered. This can help narrow down the source of the infection preventing others from becoming sick.
Do you remember a few years ago when health agencies were tracking COVID-19 infections? For several months, the number of reported infections dominated news headlines around the world. The concept is similar with a Listeria infection. The primary difference is it usually only hits the news when it’s a massive outbreak.
The Health Department, both local and federal, wants to know every time someone comes down with Listeria. The Health Department is tasked with public safety and takes its role pretty seriously. You’re going to need to provide some information when you report your infection. Some questions you should be ready to answer typically include information on your symptoms, the suspect food, and if anyone else is affected.
So far the steps to take after exposure to Listeria don’t sound too complicated. You’re visiting a healthcare provider, tracking your symptoms, and alerting the health department. Now, things tend to be a little more complicated. If you’re planning on filing an injury claim, you’re going to need to prove negligence. This means showing that someone’s actions or inactions aren’t those of a reasonable person and this behavior is the direct cause of your Listeria infection.
Who can be negligent in a Listeria personal injury claim? This can be anyone from the food producer/grower to the distributor and seller. Your Listeria claim may even name more than one liable party. Every case is different and this typically impacts negligence.
Proving negligence means showing the liable party owes you a duty of care and they breached this duty. You must also prove that the breach of duty is the cause of your food-borne illness and resulting damages. Usually, if you can show negligence you’re eligible to recover compensation.
Food-borne illnesses are rapidly becoming a part of life. This doesn’t mean you have to suffer without recovering any compensation. If you believe your Listeria infection is caused by negligence, contact an experienced food-borne illness attorney.
